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Ideas for a new multi-purpose community hub in Wellsford started flowing when about 40 people attended a meeting to discuss the future of the old Wellsford library last month.
Rodney Local Board member Beth Houlbrooke says there was a consensus for a meeting place for local clubs and interest groups.
“People wanted somewhere that small groups, like book clubs and knitting clubs, could meet in the evening. Some people suggested having an arts and craft exhibition space, where people could sell things and make the building financially sustainable.
“It was a great turnout for Wellsford and a lot of new people came out of the woodwork who don’t usually attend Council consultation evenings.”
Some people voiced frustration at the process – the building has been left untenanted since the new library opened in 2013 – and they wanted to have access to the building immediately and develop uses for the site over time. But Ms Houlbrooke says Council has a strict process.
“The community want it to be community-lead, but as with all Council owned buildings, there has to be a formality around it with who holds the lease. The next step is to decide who will be the lease holder.”
Members of the community plan to hold a meeting early this year.
“They are hoping to nominate an umbrella group which can lease the building and coordinate the different groups that want to use the library.”
